# std::abort

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< cpp‎ | utility‎ | program

Defined in header `<cstdlib>` |  |
void abort(); |  | (until C++11)
[[noreturn]] void abort() noexcept; |  | (since C++11)

Causes abnormal program termination unless SIGABRT is being caught by a signal handler passed to std::signal and the handler does not return.

Destructors of variables with automatic, thread local(since C++11) and static storage durations are not called. Functions registered with std::atexit() and std::at_quick_exit(since C++11) are also not called. Whether open resources such as files are closed is implementation defined. An implementation defined status is returned to the host environment that indicates unsuccessful execution.

### Parameters

(none)

### Return value

None because it does not return.

### Exceptions

Throws nothing.

### Notes

POSIX specifies that the `abort()` function overrides blocking or ignoring the `SIGABRT` signal.

Some compiler intrinsics, e.g. `__builtin_trap` (gcc, clang, and icc) or `__fastfail`/`__debugbreak` (msvc), can be used to terminate the program as fast as possible.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <csignal>
    #include <cstdlib>
    #include <iostream>

    class Tester
    {
    public:
        Tester()  { std::cout << "Tester ctor\n"; }
        ~Tester() { std::cout << "Tester dtor\n"; }
    };

    Tester static_tester; // Destructor not called

    void signal_handler(int signal)
    {
        if (signal == SIGABRT)
            std::cerr << "SIGABRT received\n";
        else
            std::cerr << "Unexpected signal " << signal << " received\n";
        std::_Exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
    }

    int main()
    {
        Tester automatic_tester; // Destructor not called

        // Setup handler
        auto previous_handler = std::signal(SIGABRT, signal_handler);
        if (previous_handler == SIG_ERR)
        {
            std::cerr << "Setup failed\n";
            return EXIT_FAILURE;
        }

        std::abort(); // Raise SIGABRT
        std::cout << "This code is unreachable\n";
    }

Output:

    Tester ctor
    Tester ctor
    SIGABRT received

### See also

exit | causes normal program termination with cleaning up (function)
atexit | registers a function to be called on std::exit() invocation (function)
quick_exit (C++11) | causes quick program termination without completely cleaning up (function)
at_quick_exit (C++11) | registers a function to be called on std::quick_exit invocation (function)
signal | sets a signal handler for particular signal (function)
terminate | function called when exception handling fails (function)
C documentation for abort

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